Carol McComb Guitar Workshops

Carol is an amazing teacher and musician. She gives you handouts each class which are very clear and easy to follow. I wish I had known Carol way back when, but am so thankful I found her when I did. She loves teaching and it shows in her style and in her students.

I love Carol’s classes. Like lots of adults, I don’t always have tons of time to practice – but Carol’s group classes are a perfect way for me to keep learning because there’s zero stress (if I can’t play a song, I can always listen) and because Carol is an excellent teacher – really good at explaining how to do things and really good at helping you to hear how a song or a technique is put together. Best of all, Carol encourages you to record her during the classes, so I can always go back and work on songs after the classes are over.
I tried solo lessons and studied with three other teachers before I tried Carol’s classes, but could never find the time to practice and found myself spending an expensive hour mostly just apologizing for wasting the teacher’s time. I felt like music was just another thing on my to-​do list – it wasn’t fun. Now I look forward to each week’s classes and find practicing more fun because I can see that I’m making (slow but steady) progress. Now music is a source of joy and not worry.

I learned to play guitar with Carol about 10 years ago, and have taken countless classes with her since. She is a fantastic teacher and her group classes are a great environment to learn and more importantly enjoy the guitar.
Carol’s series of beginner classes take newbies from playing simple chords to fingerpicking very satisfying fun songs. The group setting is a very social, relaxed and fun environment. I found the pace to be just right– Challenging but not intimidating
I’ve been taking more advanced classes with Carol for some time now, jumping from ones a bit (or a lot…) over my head to those that are more at my level. She rotates through an enormous library of classes each quarter– there’s always been something that has been of interest for me (I’m taking two this coming quarter– couldn’t decide!). She regularly adds new class ideas that suit the interests of her very happy students. Learning new songs is interspersed with time talking about music and the musicians that wrote the tunes we are working on. It’s fun, it’s interactive and its a great way to learn guitar!
Whether you’ve never picked up a guitar before or have been playing for years, Carol has a class for you. Come join us, you’ll have a blast!

Carol is a wonderful musician and teacher. She is patient and kind to her students at all levels. She always patiently answers even the most annoying questions. Her anecdotal tales of the origins of musicians and songs make her classes fun and informative. The scope of her classes is amazing, songwriting, music theory, singing, children’s music, contemporary, bluegrass, country, pop and rock and on and on. I learn something new in every class regardless if I have taken it before. I have recommended her classes and concerts to may friends and the consensus is the same – fantastic!

I’ve been taking classes from Carol for years, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. The group class atmosphere is perfect for me — low pressure, but always fun and instructive. Carol is a great teacher — She adjusts the pace of class to fit the students, and is always willing to answer questions. She brings a wealth of experience as a performer and song-​writer, as well. I’ve taken several of her series multiple times because I enjoy the classes so much!

I’ve taken beginning guitar from Carol. What an excellent an interesting teacher! She makes learning to play easy by using a method that teaches nine basic chords, several strum patterns and two or three songs per week. Each week builds on the previous lesson. She intersperses each song with information about the history of the song and its primary players. Her teaching is very affirming and she connects with each student in the class. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve studied with – in any subject.

Absolutely great teacher for complete beginner to advanced guitar players, with a wonderful variety of group guitar lessons at convenient times. Well worth a weekly trip up to Gryphon Instruments.
Carol is the consummate musician; patient, interesting, and full of musical lore as she guides aspiring guitarists. I have been taking classes here for two years and always look forward to an hour of pure enjoyment with new friends from class.
Since they are group classes, they are also very affordable. A Carol McComb class is a wonderful gift along with a new guitar for yourself or a loved one!

When you select 5 stars for your review, you see the comment «Woohoo! As good as it gets!». That’s a great description of Carol McComb and her guitar classes.
I started trying to play guitar at the age of 35. I was lucky enough to start by taking beginning guitar with Carol. She’s a wonderful, patience teacher with many years of experience, and a good curriculum built up. She gives you the basics, or she gives you the advanced; Carol has a good variety of classes at all levels.
I’ve probably taken ten classes with her over the years; everything from basic introductory strumming to advanced fingerpicking. She’s really, really great at improving your skills, or giving you those skills in the first place. She’s never intimidating.
I cannot think of a better guitar teacher anywhere. If you are fortunate enough to be able to get to Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, her classes are a treasure.

Carol is a wonderful teacher. Her workshops are excellent. You learn a lot in the classes. She takes her time with her students and you feel that she is really connecting with you. Her workshops really do accommodate a wide range of skill sets of her students. The class have a great mix of all ages from teenager to senior. She is very talented and has worked with many famous artists in her long career and her professionalism is very high. I can’t say enough about Carol. I was very fortunate to have come into contact with her. Whether you are advanced or a beginner she will offer you the highest level of satisfaction.